Alex Cejka won the Regions Tradition on Sunday in only his third PGA Tour Champions start, beating defending champion Steve Stricker with a birdie on the first hole of a playoff in Birmingham, Ala.
A childhood refugee from communist Czechlosovokia (now the Czech Republic), the 50-year-old Cejka made a 14-foot birdie putt on No. 18 and Stricker missed a 9-footer with a chance to extend the playoff at Greystone Golf & Country Club.
Cejka had turned a three-stroke deficit into a two-shot lead over the final nine holes for a 5-under 67. His winning putt was from a similar spot to the one Stricker made for birdie in regulation to force the playoff.
Stricker falls short in Traditions playoff
Steve Stricker
Madison’s Steve Stricker fell just short of winning the third PGA Tour Champions major of his career.
Stricker, who won the Regions Tradition the last time it was held in 2019, a month after winning the U.S. Senior Open, had a three stroke lead in the final round Sunday. But Alex Cejka rallied to take the lead before Stricker came to 18 needing to make a putt to force a playoff, which he did.
But Stricker went on to miss an 8-footer for birdie on the first playoff hole and Cejka won the Regions Tradition after making the field as first alternate when Jay Haas withdrew on Monday.
Alex Cejka wins first major, outduels Steve Stricker in playoff
Field Level Media
10 May 2021, 09:40 GMT+10
Alex Cejka went from alternate in need of a break to winning the first major of his career as he prevailed over Steve Stricker in the first hole of a playoff on Sunday to win the Regions Tradition at Birmingham, Ala.
Cejka carded a 14-foot birdie putt on the playoff hole and Stricker was unable to match as his 9-foot putt went just wide of the hole.
The ending left Cejka as an unlikely champion as he was only added to the field when Jay Haas withdrew on Monday. The 50-year-old shot a 5-under 67 in the final round to finish with an 18-under 270 at Greystone Golf Country Club.
May 07, 2021 - 3:20 PM
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. - Defending champion Steve Stricker birdied the final hole Friday for a 3-under 69 to move into a four-way tie for the lead halfway through the Regions Tradition, while Canada s Stephen Ames is one stroke back.
Stricker joined Madison, Wisconsin, neighbour Jerry Kelly, Monday qualifier Alex Cejka and first-round leader Darren Clarke atop the leaderboard in the first of the PGA Tour Champions five majors.
Cejka, who made the field as the first alternate when Jay Haas withdrew, followed his opening 68 with a 69 at Greystone Golf & Country Club. Kelly had a 70 and Clarke shot 71 to get to 7 under.
Four share lead at halfway point of Regions Tradition
Field Level Media
08 May 2021, 10:19 GMT+10
Defending champion Steve Stricker shot a 3-under 69 on Friday and is part of a four-way tie for first after two rounds of the Regions Tradition at Birmingham, Ala.
Jerry Kelly, Germany s Alex Cejka and Northern Ireland s Darren Clarke also share the lead at the major event with a 7-under 137 after two trips around Greystone Golf Country Club.
Cejka also shot 69 on Friday, Kelly finished with a 70 and Clarke shot 71. Clarke was the first-round leader with a 66.
South African Ernie Els (69 on Friday), Dicky Pride (69) and Canada s Stephen Ames (71) are all one shot back.